ST. PETERSBURG, FL. - Duke Energy Florida is investing $1.9 million to replace an underwater power cable to better serve its Tierra Verde customers.
In keeping with Duke Energy's commitment to the environment, the installation method of the cable will not disturb the seabed or sea grasses. In addition, it will provide a permanent conduit system for future cable replacements.
This project is part of a $500 million investment in equipment upgrades throughout Florida that will ensure Duke Energy communities continue to receive reliable electricity for decades to come.
"Our customers depend on us to provide reliable electricity 24/7," said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy state president -- Florida. "To ensure we meet their needs, we are always improving operations and finding smart, safe and innovative ways to power the communities we serve."
"This project in Tierra Verde is part of a series of reliability improvements we've made throughout our Pinellas Country beach communities," he added. "Within the past five years, we've invested $28 million in placing new underwater cables in service to increase the electric grid's capacity and ensure reliable serve to customers in our beach communities."
The new underwater cable will be housed in a 24-inch diameter conduit more than 2,100 feet long. Carrying more than 12,000 volts of electricity, it will run under the Intercoastal Waterway from the north side of the first bridge on Pinellas Bayway South to the south side of the bridge at Tierra Verde Marina.
The project is scheduled to be completed before the end of August. Duke Energy employees and specialized contractors are working seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. No service interruptions, noise issues or interference with boat traffic are expected as part of this project.
In addition, the project will not affect parking for the fishing public on the north side of the bridge, and there will be no lane closures on the Pinellas Bayway South as most of the construction and pipe layout will be located behind the existing FDOT traffic barrier.
In the coming months, similar reliability projects will be conducted to place new underwater cables in service in Indian Shores, St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille, North Clearwater Beach and the Placido Bayou area of St. Petersburg.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida owns coal-fired and natural gas generation providing about 9,000 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.7 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.
With its Florida regional headquarters located in St. Petersburg, Fla., Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.3 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international energy business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.